The Community Pantry
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
April 18, 2021 6:32am CST
It's going viral, this community pantry is.
Started at Maginhawa Street in Quezon City, and now there are community pantries at P. Noval, Manila and other places.
What is a community pantry?
It's the brainchild of a young lady named Ana Patricia whose mind cannot remain idle during the quarantine.
Feeling privileged with enough food to sustain her inside her home for a period of time, she thought about the deprived ones who could be hungry and has nothing to eat.
So she set up a pantry on the street, filled it with a variety of goods, and placed a cardboard sign that reads 'Kumuha ng ayon so pangangailangan, magbigay ng ayon sa kakayahan.'
This translates to - get according to your need, give what you can afford.
Since the community pantry started four or five days ago, so many people have been sending donations. No record. No camera. People just dropped whatever they can give.
And many deprived ones have walked miles to get to the pantry for food to cook. A mother couldn't help but cry because she didn't know what to feed her three young children anymore, and all of a sudden, she has rice and milk for them today.
Yay. This is who the Filipinos are.
Photo collage by my daughter on her fb page.
15 people like this
14 responses
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
Last time I viewed the news, people were crying because the thought is sinking in - they don't have to wake up and worry about food for the family. All they have to do is to get to the pantry and avail of what they need for the day.
And people are donating sacks of rice and cartons of eggs. Really amazing.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
20 Apr 21
@DianneN Sent a message to my daughter asking what we are donating. She replied 'Bread.'
That means that we donate what we like to eat. No less. The marginalized must also enjoy corned beef and tuna-cheese melt sandwiches. Or possibly cheeseburgers.
This activity is really exciting. The people are actually doing something in a way unprecedented. The government has been adjudged lacking and the politicians selfish, thus we make the move for the betterment of all the people.
Thank you for recognizing the effort my people are exerting to alleviate our plight.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
19 Apr 21
@eileenleyva That is truly wonderful!
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
I like the idea very much. Now, no one has to go to sleep with an empty stomach. Nobody will go hungry again.
I really pray this Community Pantry will last till no one needs to beg for food.
I really pray this Community Pantry will last till no one needs to beg for food.2 people like this
@ZedSmart (19839)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
@eileenleyva The effect is very contagious as it's now reported that.more and more community are setting up there. I hope so too.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58468)
• Germany
18 Apr 21
Wow! So glad to know this. I hope it will reach a lot of street people. 
3 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
The street people have come to get what they need.
Amazing thing is so many donations are pouring in.
Amazing thing is so many donations are pouring in.2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
18 Apr 21
This is very nice.
There is also a woman here who does the same Eileen.
3 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
Gosh, that is really good. This act of kindness must turn pandemic.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Apr 21
@RebeccasFarm Saw on NBC News some restaurants giving free meals for those who need to eat. Someone posted a free meal for any guest on a wall after she ate at a restaurant and others followed suit.
People are innately kind and helpful.
People are innately kind and helpful.2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Apr 21
@thelme55 Wow. I like that idea. I have dogs also and believe me, their food is more expensive than mine.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
Just started and it's really getting good feedbacks. Initiative of a young lady concerned about people who are hungry.
I wish I thought of that. Sigh. 
2 people like this
@thelme55 (79323)
• Germany
19 Apr 21
@eileenleyva We are doing that kind of community pantry for dogs and cats. We can drop dog or cat food in the drop boxes outside a supermarket. People who have dogs and cats and can’t afford to buy food can just get some from those boxes.
1 person likes this
@gamayngbaki (1601)
• Cebu, Philippines
18 Apr 21
These community pantries are a big help to so many Filipinos who can't afford to buy food these dire days of the pandemic.
4 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
Stroke of genius for that girl Ana Patricia. She doesn't even claim credit for the project. Attributes everything to the neighbors who help in the community pantry.
Yes, it's a 'big help this dire days of pandemic.'
2 people like this
@rsa101 (41005)
• Philippines
3 May 21
This is something that I am really happy seeing that it is even getting popular and spreading virally amongst the different places in the country. The sense of camaraderie and sharing is quite impressive and the response both of the needy and those that can contribute has increased that I know some people from abroad also are adopting this practice in their own communities.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (41005)
• Philippines
3 May 21
@eileenleyva I guess your friend may be right too. Red eggs and tomatoes go together well and could be a good meal for a starving family. I suddenly have that urge to eat salted eggs after what you've mentioned in here.
I suddenly have that urge to eat salted eggs after what you've mentioned in here.1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
3 May 21
@rsa101 Yes. And we must add talong and sibuyas to complete the ensalada. Ha ha. Add tuna flakes in cans also.
Seriously, if only I could pack tiny bags, I would. But am leaving it to the postulants of the convent school nearby, they are more able.
You're not the only one who had the craving. My daughter also bought salted eggs for her self. 
Enjoy the humble meal.
Enjoy the humble meal.
@allen0187 (59827)
• Philippines
20 Apr 21
@eileenleyva there's one in a nearby village but one needs to take a car or trike to get there. Not sure if it is still open. Read in the news that the original community pantry had to suspend its operations because the organizers are being harassed by cops.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
20 Apr 21
@allen0187 Gosh, that's bad news.
Will check development in a while.
Just got home. There's no Community Pantry in my area. Sigh. Perhaps somewhere farther. Will look for one again tomorrow.
Will check development in a while.
Just got home. There's no Community Pantry in my area. Sigh. Perhaps somewhere farther. Will look for one again tomorrow.1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
20 Apr 21
Yes. Yes. I couldn't contain my excitement. Finally, a once repressed citizenry is acting in the most incredible way. Gosh, I wish I had that stroke of genius granted to Ana Patricia Non. Ha Ha Nainggit pa!
Hey, your tasty meals would be most welcome. Have you found where your Community Pantry is? Going out in a while to look for ours. Wish it's not far. There are marginalized communities not far from my village.
1 person likes this
@ARIES1973 (11944)
• Legaspi, Philippines
18 Apr 21
That's a great initiative and I hope people who have excess would continue to help. This is the time when we should be helping one another.
3 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
I believe so, too. It's innate in the Filipino to help one in need. It's like we are getting our culture of 'bayanihan' back.
2 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
This is never going to happen in my neighbor. Their twice expensive on the market and even on the cartels.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Apr 21
The young lady who initiated the Community Pantry said she was apprehensive when the lockdown happened because her small business was affected. Though grateful she has the support of the family who told her that the pandemia is a time for survival, she dwelt on the thought that others, without food, would simply die. She resolved to help in the little way she can. Thus the beginning of the project.
Six days now and the Community Pantry has sprouted in so many places all over the archipelago.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
18 Apr 21
Same feeling when I first saw the news on a friend's fb timeline. Finally, the people are helping themselves.
Can't imagine the beggars on the streets risking their lives for a little change to buy food. Now they have no reason to beg. Food is free.
Yay!
I wanted to cry!
1 person likes this
@Bubba90 (1753)
• Indonesia
23 Apr 21
this is a great thing, caring for each other, good people have been moved by God to help others who need help, hunger that makes stomachs hurt and cries of hungry children also make parents' hearts hurt, this is a thing that It should be exemplified by young people today, instead of making dance videos in an app that I think is not very educational, even parents are also doing this
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
24 Apr 21
The country has come to that. Our government has been adjudged lacking when it comes to the plight of the poor. The roads have become a haven for beggars, people humbling themselves for alms so they could have food to eat.
The community pantry is the people's response to the call of the hungry. We cannot shut our eyes and ears to the groaning and the crying.
Really proud of the millennials and the Gen Zee who are making sure there is enough for everyone.
With regards dancing, it's an activity I enjoy most whenever there are occasions to dance, like parties. I also love watching dance competitions regardless if its cultural or hip hop. But the one you mentioned - dance videos for an app - I also do not like that at all. Distasteful,
